Finding Aid to the Brownie Mary Collection, 1981-2001,
SFH 379
Finding aid prepared by Tami J. Suzuki
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
2019
Title: Brownie Mary Collection
Date (inclusive): 1981-2001
Collection Identifier: SFH 379
Creator:
Rathbun, Mary (Mary Jane), 1922-1999
Physical Description:
3 boxes, 2 oversized flat boxes, 1 framed art piece
(2.1 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Abstract: Contains news clippings, flyers, and brochures about Rathbun, the cannabis brownies she served to people with AIDS and other
serious illnesses, and the medical marijuana legalization movement; awards, some photographs, and items including her signature
vest.
Physical Location: The collection is stored on site.
Language of Materials:
Collection materials are in
English.
Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored off site should be requested 48 hours in advance.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Brownie Mary Collection (SFH 379), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Custodial History
Collection received in 3 accessions, from 2000 to 2001. Bulk of collection was collected by Mary Rathbun, turned over to Beth
Moore, and donated by Karen Masonheimer. Shirt and vest, framed proclamation, oversized photograph, and carved wooden keepsake
box with trinkets donated by Larry W. Bittner as executor of the estate of Mary Rathbun. Charcoal portrait and stuffed bear
donated by Beverly Baber.
Biographical Note
Mary Jane Rathbun, popularly known as Brownie Mary, was a medical marijuana activist. Born in 1922, she arrived in San Francisco
from Minnesota in the late 1940s. She was briefly married and had a daughter who died in a vehicle accident in 1974. She worked
as a waitress and began a side cottage business of selling cannabis brownies, baking them in her kitchen, posting flyers for
"magically delicious...original recipe brownies," and selling them from a basket in her Castro neighborhood. Rathbun was described
as grandmotherly, and she wore a marijuana-themed vest and pendant. With no grandchildren of her own, she called the patients
with AIDS that she befriended her "adopted kids." She was twice arrested in San Francisco for possession, receiving community
service. This led to volunteering with the Shanti Project, launching her career as an AIDS activist. She volunteered with
and delivered her special brownies to San Francisco General Hospital's Ward 86, the AIDS outpatient clinic. Rathbun was arrested
a third time in Sonoma County in 1992; the charges were dropped.
In 1991, San Franciscan's passed Proposition P, which urged state lawmakers to legalize use of medical marijuana. California
voters passed Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, in 1996. Rathbun appeared on the cover of
Newsweek (Nov. 1,1993), and she co-wrote a book with Dennis Peron, founder of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club. In 1997, she
and Peron were honored as Grand Marshals of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade. Mayor Willie L. Brown proclaimed May 2, 1999
as Brownie Mary Day, honoring her for her years of compassionate care of people suffering from illness. Rathbun died of a
heart attack at age 77 in 1999.
Scope and Contents
Collection has news clippings, flyers, and brochures about Rathbun, her cannabis brownies, and the medical marijuana legalization
movement; awards, some photographs, and items including her signature vest. A copy of her cookbook and some handwritten cookie
recipes are included; the brownie recipe is not included. Records of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club are not included.
Materials Transferred
Handmade book,
Death Experience, by Penny King, 1981, (autographed by author, #2 of 5), added to library catalog.
Arrangement
Organized alphabetically.
Processed by
Tami J. Suzuki
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Rathbun, Mary (Mary Jane), 1922-1999 -- Archives
Cooking (Marijuana)
Marijuana -- Law and Legislation -- California
Marijuana -- Law and Legislation-- California -- San Francisco
Marijuana -- Therapeutic use -- Recipes
Files,
1981-2000
Scope and Contents
Newspaper articles, brochures, flyers, recipes, and some correspondence documenting Rathbun's work as a medical marijuana
activist.
Box 1, Folder 1
Arrest in San Francisco,
1981
Box 1, Folder 2, OV-flat-box 5, Folder 1
Arrest and Case in Sonoma County,
1992
Box 3
Mayoral Proclamation,
1999
Box 4
San Francisco General Hospital, Ward 86 Volunteer of the Year Plaque,
1986
Box 1, Folder 4, OV-flat-box 5, Folder 1
Biographical Articles,
1993-1999
Box 1, Folder 5
Biographical: Memorial Service,
May 2, 1999
Box 1, Folder 6, OV-flat-box 5, Folder 1
Brownie Mary's Marijuana Cookbook and Dennis Peron's Recipe for Social Change,
1996
Box 1, Folder 7
Correspondence,
1992-1995
Box 1, Folder 8, Oversize-box 5, Folder 1
Box 1, Folder 9
Magical Brownie Flyers,
1981
Box 1, Folder 10
Manuscript, "This Little Old Lady Bullshit,"
undated
Box 1, Folders 11-12
Marijuana/Hemp Organizations and Publications,
1990-[1996?]
OV-flat-box 5, Folder 1
Marijuana March Poster,
1984
Box 2, Folder 2, OV-flat-box 5, Folder 1
Moore, Beth,
1999-2000
Biographical/Historical note
Beth Moore was one of Rathbun's "adopted kids." The cremains of both women were released into the Gulf of Mexico upon Moore's
passing in 2000.
News Clippings and Brochures
Objects,
[1981?-2001?]
Scope and Contents
Items mostly belonging to Mary Rathbun. Some have a marijuana theme. Included is Mary's signature shirt and vest, as well
as a volunteer award from San Francisco General Hospital's Ward 86. A marijuana pendant is among objects in a box with a marijuana
leaf carved into the top.
Box 2, Folder 5
Cannabis Club Identification Cards of Karen Masonheimer,
[199-?-2001?]
Box 2, Folder 6
Paper Marijuana Art,
no date
Frame SFA-0669
Framed Drawing of Brownie Mary,
1996
Dimensions:
18"x23" art work in 24"x19" frame.
Scope and Contents
Color charcoal portrait by Harrington.
OV-flat-box 6
Free Brownie Mary T-shirt,
[1981?]
Box 4
Keepsake Box with Trinkets,
undated
Scope and Contents
Brownie Mary Name Pin, AIDS Ribbon Pin, $.28 in change, 8 seashells, and marijuana leaf pendant.
OV-flat-box 6
Shirt and Vest,
Scope and Contents
Vest is adorned with embroidered "Brownie Mary" name and marijuana leaves, and marijuana-themed pins. Another pin is in one
of the vest pockets.
Materials Transferred
A small baggie of M&M candies was removed from a pocket.
Box 4
Stuffed Bear with Medical Marijuana March Button,
2000
Box 4
Volunteer Plaque, SF General Hospital Ward 86,
1986
Box 2, Folders 7-9, OV-flat-box 5, Folder 2
Photographs,
undated
Scope and Contents
Color snapshots and one black-and-white image (of Rathbun with a plate of brownies). Subjects include Rathbun, Dennis Peron,
and Karen Moore.
Technical Requirements
Some photos were digitized in various formats and saved on a compact disc (CD). Images were printed from the CD for access.
